Our Approach

Our work is framed around four core pillars:

Poverty

Poverty is more than the absence of basic needs, it’s also the absence of control, opportunity and the ability to live a full life.

In the Bible there is always an obligation to share with those in need, and to strive for justice. Furthermore, any exploitation of the poor is explicitly forbidden, but instead society must be remodelled to end unjust systems and practices that negatively impact poor and marginalised people.

Power

We tackle the root causes of why people are living a life of poverty, injustice and inequality as well as facing violence and we hold those in power to account.

Jesus did not walk this Earth in pursuit of power. Jesus came to serve.

We want to echo Jesus’ approach to power. That means using any power we might have to break down inequalities and imbalances experienced by others. But, also being willing to lay aside any privilege we may have in order to better serve others and help them to realise their rights. This is why we listen to and stand alongside those with lived experience of poverty and injustice. We seek to amplify their voices so that the proposed solutions to the challenges they face come from within their own communities rather than being enforced on them from outside.

Prophetic voice

We use our voice and seek to amplify the voices of the people we work with to challenge the systems and structures that keep people poor and oppressed. Prophecy is not an activity confined to individuals. Speaking out to challenge society and its institutions, whether local, national or global, is the calling of Christian churches and of Christian organisations.

As Mario Aguliar notes: “The prophetic call… is a divine demand for a more just and Godoriented society. Such a proclamation may raise political, religious and economic issues which are often rejected by the authorities.”19

A Christian prophetic voice is one that is not afraid to challenge what has gone unchallenged, or to say things which might make people uncomfortable.20

Partnership

We work in partnership internationally with local organisations, churches and communities to listen, learn, share and exchange knowledge and resources.

God in his great and generous love wants us to work together with others of goodwill to build the common good.

We believe our work is more effective when we are open to learning from other interested parties and those with lived experience of poverty and injustice and when we work in cooperation with other agencies, whether these involve Christian communities and organisations, secular groups or other faith-based communities.21 We are committed to building a movement of people and organisations seeking to tackle the root causes of poverty globally.

United in Hope

Our Christian faith gives us the hope that a better world is possible. Therefore, we are committed to work towards the vision of restored relationships which is expressed in the book of Revelation as “a new earth” where “mourning and crying and pain will be no more” (Rev 21:1-4).

Our Christian faith fuels our hope and unites us with a global movement of people working towards a better world. With this in mind, we dedicate ourselves to pursuing a world where resources are shared fairly; where our climate and environment are protected; where peace is sustained; where when disaster strikes no one is left behind; where vibrant people-led movements shape the world around them; where human rights are defended; and where gender equality is achieved. We believe not only that this world is possible, but that it is God’s desire and intention for our future. This fills us with hope and motivates us to give, act and pray with expectation that God will use our actions to bring about his good purposes on Earth.